7 Autumn Fashion Trends That You Can Start Wearing Now to Get Ahead of the Crowd

I’m not one to will away summer, but there’s something undeniably exciting about the first signs of autumn dressing. Just as summer’s barely-there silhouettes begin to lose their appeal (and honestly, I’m a little bit tired of the same maxi dress and sandal combo), a new season of richer textures, deeper hues and clever layering comes into focus. But, before I fully embrace chunky knits and winter coats, there’s the upcoming transitional period to navigate—and this year, it’s looking particularly stylish.

Keen to get ahead of the crowd, I’ve been thinking about the autumn runway trends that are already making their way into our wardrobes, but don’t require a complete seasonal overhaul. Instead, now is the perfect time to give your favourite summer pieces a fresh perspective—styling a strapless dress with sleek flats now, and swapping sandals for loafers later. Or, introducing a mini skirt to your rotation now, only to add a knee high boot in a few months time. With just a few key new-season trends, suddenly your existing wardrobe will feel entirely refreshed, and you’ll also be way ahead of the curve.

From the print poised to dominate the months ahead to the controversial trend you’l fashion insiders wearing outside of the shows, these are the summer-to-autumn transitional trends worth knowing about now.

1. Bandeau and Strapless

Style Notes: What might feel at first glance feel to be a very obvious summer trend is actually about to be one of autumn’s most prevalent silhouettes—the strapless top and dress. Showing this much bare skin does feel more inline with heatwave temperatures, but designers like Calvin Klein, Jil Sander and Hèrmes make a compelling case for evening bandeaus that make your décolletage the star of the show. You may already own a strapless dress for summer, and now you can make it cold-weather appropriate by wearing it again in autumn with cardigans, and in winter with a boxy wool coat.

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2. Checks

Style Notes: Ever since Bottega Veneta changed the way we thought about the humble flannel by opening their SS ’23 show with a baggy, camel check shirt, they have remained a staple in fashion insider’s wardrobes. Three years later, we’re still check obsessed, but this time around they’re a little more ladylike—styling up pussybow blouses, collarless jackets and of course, sweeping maxi skirts. Take tips from Acne and Chloé and try layering checks on checks for a fashion-forward print clash that feels cooler than summer florals.

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3. Mini Skirts

Style Notes: With so much fanfare around shorts this season (long shorts, silk shorts, bloomers, you name it), all has been a little quiet on the mini skirt front. Never fear micro skirt fans, the cropped hem is back for autumn/winter, surprisingly shown on the runways with a summer-coded bare leg. What you wear up top matters though, and McQueen’s chunky turtleneck and Dior’s brushed wool jacket are exactly the kind of heavy duty layer to help keep out the cold.

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4. Underwear as Outerwear

Style Notes: Whether you consider this a micro trend, a styling hack, or a fully-fledged moment in fashion, exposing ones underwear is still considered tasteful under the right circumstances. We often see sheer clothing filter into collections in time for spring, usually in the form of gauzy, pastel pieces, but for autumn/winter, mastering after-dark layering requires moody, sheer pieces and statement bras, or exposed corsetry and suspenders a la Zimmermann. But how does one make this work for the everyday I hear you ask? Plunging v-necks, unbuttoned shirts, and sheer blouses, that will show a hint of your favourite equally see-through bra.

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5. Boat Necks

Style Notes: We had to wait a while for an interesting neckline trend, and then 2025 was all about the uber-high funnel-neck. I’m not saying that the high-neck is gone for good, but after an entire year of funnel-neck jackets and shirts, it’s time for your neck to breathe. The runways answer? The understated boat neck, the once considered “dated” neckline, offering a slash across the collarbone, and reaching the shoulders. If bandeaus aren’t your thing, you could start here. There’s something about basic boat necks that feel dressier than your average crew neck tee.

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6. Big Cat Energy

Style Notes: If you needed further proof that fashion works in cycles, the return of another animal print should be evidence enough. After zebra, mock croc, and of course spotted deer, tiger stripes brought big cat energy to the runways for A/W, a slightly welcome change from leopard and cheetah spots. Tiger print has already started to land in stores well ahead of the seasonal shift, so although you might be tempted to invest in a faux fur coat, there are still plenty of summer options too: think sheer blouses, dresses, and of course accessories that will add a point of interest to an all white fit.

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7. Camel Jackets

Style Notes: If summer is the little white dress, autumn is the long brown trench, but until we’re ready to commit to longline pieces again, may I suggest the short, camel jacket. Light enough to throw on over minis or zip up over jumpers, this alternative is for those suffering from trench coat fatigue. Chanel’s casual approach to the jacket may have seen it layered over track tops, but Stella McCartney’s camel + leather trouser pairing takes a more elevated direction, proving just how versatile this simple jacket can be.

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